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Congress·In Committee·13 days ago

House Bill Would Require Schools to Follow Strict Concussion Safety Rules or Risk Losing Federal Funding

Also known as: Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act

Legislative Progress

✓ Filed
Review
House
Senate
President

Impact Analysis

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Key Points

  • This bill, introduced by Mr. DeSaulnier and Mr. Stauber, requires states to set minimum safety rules for how schools handle concussions. If states do not put these rules in place within five years, they could lose 5% to 10% of their federal education funding. The goal is to make sure all students have the same protections regardless of where they live.
  • Under the new rules, any student suspected of having a concussion must be pulled from play immediately. They are not allowed to return to sports on the same day they were injured. To get back on the field, a student must provide a written release from a healthcare professional who is trained in treating brain injuries in children.
  • The policy also requires schools to help students with their schoolwork while they recover. This includes providing 'cognitive rest,' which might mean shorter school days or modified assignments. Schools must create a team of parents, teachers, and health professionals to help the student slowly return to both sports and classroom activities.
  • Schools would be required to train coaches, teachers, and nurses on how to recognize the signs of a concussion, such as memory loss, dizziness, or mood changes. Information about the risks of brain injuries must be posted clearly on school grounds and on school websites so that parents and students are well-informed.
EducationHealthcare

Milestones

2 milestones2 actions
Feb 17, 2026House

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Feb 17, 2026

Introduced in House

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

Within 5 years of enactment

States must enact concussion safety laws or regulations

Every state receiving federal education funds must have concussion safety rules on the books, including plans for school training, student removal from play, and return-to-learn protocols. States that already have such laws may already be in compliance.

6 years after enactment if non-compliant

Non-compliant states lose 5% of federal education funding

States that haven't passed the required concussion safety rules by the deadline will see a 5% cut to their federal education funding in the first year of non-compliance, with cuts increasing to 10% in following years. This could mean millions of dollars lost for schools in those states.

Related News

4 articles
RiverBender·5 months ago

Durbin Introduces Bill To Expand Concussion Safety In School Sports

The legislation would require states to adopt a 'when in doubt, sit it out' policy, preventing student athletes suspected of concussions from returning to play the same day. It requires evaluation and clearance by a qualified health care professional before resuming participation.

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Prep Network·5 months ago

Weekly News Roundup: Youth Sports Bill Re-Introduced In Congress

Senator Dick Durbin is promoting the Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act. The act focuses on safety in game play and practice, prohibiting any youth athlete with a suspected concussion from competing for the remainder of the day.

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Education Week·over 12 years ago

House Democrats Reintroduce Federal Student-Athlete Concussion Legislation

The bill would require schools to establish a multidisciplinary concussion-management team to help students reacclimate to academic and athletic activities. This includes 'appropriate academic accommodations aimed at progressively reintroducing cognitive demands.'

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Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Protecting Student Athletes from Concussions Act

Bill NumberHR 7590
Congress119th Congress
ChamberHouse of Representatives
Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
R: 1

Analysis generated by AI. While we strive for accuracy, this should not be considered legal or professional advice. Always verify information with official government sources.